Three-dimensional imaging and display system

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional imaging and display system is provided in which input is optically detected in an imaging volume by measuring the path length of an amplitude modulated scanning beam as a function of the phase shift thereof. Visual image feedback concerning the detected input is presented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/329,641, filed on Jul. 11, 2014, entitled“Three-Dimensional Imaging and Display System”, which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/212,122, filed on Aug. 17, 2011,entitled “Three Dimensional Imaging and Display System,” now U.S. Pat.No. 8,780,332 which claims priority to Ser. No. 11/255,348, filed onOct. 21, 2005, entitled “Three Dimensional Imaging and Display System,”now U.S. Pat. No. 8,018,579 all of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to imaging, and moreparticularly to a three-dimensional imaging and display system.

BACKGROUND ART

Modern three-dimensional (“3D”) imaging and display technologies areemployed in widely diverse environments and technologies. Examplesinclude medical diagnostics, entertainment, flight simulation, robotics,education, animation, biomechanical studies, virtual reality, and soforth. There are numerous 3D input devices including, for example,variations on the computer mouse or touch pad. Ordinarily, these aremanipulated in just two dimensions, the x-axis and the y-axis. However,through various computer programming artifices, these devices canprovide a measure of control in the third dimension of the z-axis. In3D, however, such constructs can be indirect, time consuming,artificial, and can require considerable practice and training to dowell. Similar observations can be made relative to joysticks, which intheir original function were designed for input on but two angles(dimensions). Other more sophisticated means of 3D input are thereforepreferred.

One of the preferred methods of 3D input is passive input, wherein adevice automatically detects and measures a target in 3D. A commontechnique for such 3D measurement uses the time of flight (“TOF”) of ascanning light beam. The TOF technique measures the time or durationthat lapses or accumulates from the moment of light pulse transmissionto the moment of reception of the returning light pulse after reflectionby a target object. The TOF is directly dependent on the distance thelight pulse has traveled. TOF, however, requires very high-speedmeasuring equipment for accurate distance determination. Measurements atshort distances can be inordinately difficult. Equipment costs andcomplexity are correspondingly high, making TOF unattractive forordinary consumer applications.

Another 3D method for measuring distance utilizes light attenuation.Light attenuation is based upon the fact that, in general, the farther alight beam or light pulse travels, the dimmer the reflected light iswhen it returns. The difficulty with the light attenuation technique,however, is that different objects are more or less reflective, so themeasurement is very dependent upon the reflectivity of the targetobject. One way to manage the reflectivity is to standardize it, forexample, by attaching standardized target reflectors to the targetobject. Another method is to modulate the light beam and to compare thereflected signals at different light intensity levels. Both techniques,however, are inconvenient and unnecessarily complicated, as well ascostly.

A need thus remains for uncomplicated, economical, yet highly effective3D input devices for computers. Such devices need to be able to detect,analyze, and measure objects located in a 3D volume, and to observe andtrack any motions thereof. The devices should therefore be well suitedand designed compatibly for use with 3D graphically intensiveactivities. They need to be capable of operating by optically sensingobject or human positions, orientations, and/or motions. For reasons ofcost as well as user convenience, they should be compact and capable ofincorporation into a simple, small, single housing or unit. They alsoneed to be versatile, and thus capable of working effectively andbeneficially with the full range of conventional consumer appliances.

To be effective, it is also important that such devices be capable, whendesired or necessary, of economically but effectively and preciselyproviding feedback to the user. Thus, such devices should incorporateaudio and/or visual mechanisms for reporting to the user the effects andresults of the 3D input. And again, for reasons of cost as well as userconvenience, such devices should incorporate such user feedbackfunctionality while continuing to be compact and capable ofincorporation into a simple, small, single housing or unit.

Thus, a need still remains for economical, small, portable, andversatile multi-functional 3D imaging and display systems that can bothscan and display simultaneously. A need also remains for such devicesthat provide integral, immediate feedback. A further need remains forsuch devices that are particularly well adapted for use with other,small electronic devices, particularly hand-held and other portabledevices.

In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures,appliance sophistication, increasing consumer expectations, anddiminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in themarketplace, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to theseproblems. Moreover, the ever-increasing need to save costs, improveefficiencies, and meet such competitive pressures adds even greaterurgency to the critical necessity that answers be found to theseproblems.

Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developmentshave not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to theseproblems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a three-dimensional imaging and displaysystem. User input is optically detected in an imaging volume bymeasuring the path length of an amplitude modulated scanning beam as afunction of the phase shift thereof. Visual image user feedbackconcerning the detected user input is presented.

Certain embodiments of the invention have other advantages in additionto or in place of those mentioned above. The advantages will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the followingdetailed description when taken with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of a three-dimensional imaging anddisplay system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of another embodiment of a three-dimensional imagingand display system similar to the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a graphical diagram depicting system calibration in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a calibration, detection, and measurementprocedure, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting the detection of an object;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a mirror system according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the three-dimensionalimaging and display system according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the mirror subsystem of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a view of an exemplary sync pulse for the horizontal mirror inFIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of portions of a sensor circuit inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a dual laser modulation-demodulationconfiguration in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a three-dimensional imaging and displaysystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments would be evident based on the presentdisclosure, and that process or mechanical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will beapparent that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, somewell-known circuits, system configurations, and operational steps arenot disclosed in detail.

Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the device aresemi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of thedimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown greatlyexaggerated in the drawing FIGS.

Similarly, the views in the drawings, for ease of description andunderstanding, show the device oriented in a certain manner with respectto the user. However, this illustration in the drawing FIGS. isarbitrary and is not intended to suggest that the device shouldnecessarily be oriented in any particular direction. Generally, thedevice can be operated in any desired orientation.

Additionally, where multiple embodiments are disclosed and describedhaving some features in common, for clarity and ease of illustration,description, and comprehension thereof, similar and like features one toanother will ordinarily be described with like reference numerals.

The term “horizontal” as used herein is thus defined as a plane parallelto the visual plane of the particular person (“user”) using the device,regardless of that person's actual orientation. Thus, for such a personstanding upright, “horizontal” would be taken in its ordinary meaning asparallel to the horizon, but the term will be understood to followchanges in the user's orientation should that occur. The term “vertical”then refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as justdefined. Terms, such as “on”, “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side”(as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, aredefined with respect to the horizontal plane.

According to various embodiments of the present invention,three-dimensional (“3D”) imaging apparatus are described suitable forhead tracking, (hand) gesturing, presence detection, auxiliary displayfunctions, and other capabilities and functionalities as set forth moreparticularly herewithin. In general, these involve combinationsincluding an assortment of the following components:

-   -   A collimated high-speed infrared (“IR”) or visible laser (e.g.        such as used for fiber optic communications)    -   A visible 3-color illumination source and driver circuit    -   A high-speed photo detector (e.g., PIN diode based)    -   A digital signal processor (“DSP”)    -   Dual axis scanning device (e.g., analog mirror) and driver        circuit    -   Analog subsystem    -   Video subsystem

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown an embodiment 100 of a 3Dimaging and display system in accordance with the present invention. Theembodiment 100 includes a projector 102 and a receiver 104. Theprojector 102 projects a scanning beam 106 into an imaging volume 108.The projector 102 also projects a projection beam 110 onto a displayarea 112. In one embodiment, the projection beam 110 is utilized toproject images onto the display area 112 of various virtual objects thatare characterized as being virtually located within the imaging volume108. These virtual objects may include, for example, knobs, sliders,buttons, and so forth. Images of these virtual objects are thenprojected by the projection beam 110 onto the display area 112,producing, for example, corresponding knob images 114, a slider image116, and button images 118.

It will be understood, of course, that these virtual elements have noreal physical embodiment, and thus do not actually appear in the imagingvolume 108. Based upon the teachings herein, it will be also understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that, by using appropriateartifacts, the various virtual elements could actually be displayedwithin the imaging volume 108 itself. However, it is less complicatedand more economical to project the images externally, such as described.

The imaging volume 108 is configured to enable a user to interact withthe various virtual elements located virtually therein. Thus, a userwould place his or her left hand 120 and/or right hand 122 into theimaging volume 108. The hands would then be detected by the scanningbeam 106, as described more particularly hereinbelow. A left hand image124 and a right hand image 126, respectively, would then be projected bythe projection beam 110 onto the display area 112 to provide immediatefeedback to the user concerning the relationship between the user'shands and the various virtual objects within the imaging volume 108.Thus, as depicted, the user can grasp one of the knob images 114 withthe left hand 120 by moving the left hand 120 until the left hand image124 indicates that the selected virtual knob (not shown) represented bythe corresponding knob image 114 has been engaged. The knob can then begrasped and manipulated such as by rotating the knob.

Similarly, a virtual button (not shown), represented by the buttonimages 118, may be pressed by appropriately positioning and moving theright hand 122, under the guidance of the feedback provided by the righthand image 126.

Accordingly, it will be understood that any virtual object can begrasped and manipulated within the virtual space of the imaging volume108. Such objects, in addition to controls such as knobs, sliders, andbuttons, can include virtually any kind of physical objects (e.g., ablock of wood, a sheet of paper, hand tools, styli, virtual paintbrushes, pencils, pens, grinders, knives, scissors, and so forth).

For the convenience and comfort of the user, the scanning beam 106 inone embodiment consists of an invisible (e.g., IR) light beam. Theprojection beam 110 is ordinarily in the visible light range, but couldbe invisible according to the application at hand. An example of the useof an invisible projection beam 110 would be, for example, theprojection of an ultra-violet (“UV”) beam onto a fluorescent target. Theprojection beam 110 may accordingly be mono- or polychromatic. In oneembodiment, the projection beam 110 would be a red-green-blue (“RGB”)beam that would be appropriately modulated, as is known in theprojection sciences, to enable the presentation of full color images inthe display area 112.

The receiver 104 receives light reflected from the scanning beam 106 bythe user input, e.g., by the left hand 120 and by the right hand 122 ofthe user, as described in greater detail hereinbelow. This enables thesystem of the embodiment 100 to determine and display the exactconfigurations, positions, and movements of the physical objects (e.g.the left hand 120, the right hand 122, and so forth) introduced intoand/or present within the imaging volume 108.

It will be understood, of course, that when the scanning beam 106 is notin the visible light range, it will not be expected to register truecolor information concerning the scanned object within the imagingvolume 108. However, full color images can still be projected in thedisplay area 112 utilizing, for example, pre-stored informationconcerning preferred color renditions for detected objects, according totheir assigned configurations, and the various virtual objects, such asthe virtual knobs, sliders, buttons, and so forth. Alternatively,complexity and costs can be reduced by utilizing monochromatic (e.g.,gray scale) projection technologies in the projection beam 110.

In one embodiment, feedback to the user may also include sounds. Forexample, turning one of the knob images 114 may be accompanied by aclicking sound corresponding to certain arcs of rotation of the knob.Similarly, appropriate sounds may accompany the pressing of the buttonimages 118, thereby providing the user with additional feedback andconfirmation that the virtual object has been engaged and manipulated asdesired.

Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is shown an embodiment 200 of a 3Dimaging and display system similar to the embodiment 100 (FIG. 1).However, the embodiment 200 is designed and configured for use with asystem capable of generating its own visual display. For example, theembodiment 200 is illustrated in use with a personal computer 202 havingits own display 204, speakers 206, and so forth. Accordingly, theembodiment 200 does not need to incorporate a projection beam such asthe projection beam 110 (FIG. 1) in the embodiment 100. In other words,the embodiment 100 can be seen as incorporating an imaging subsystemthat operates in an imaging mode to detect objects within the imagingvolume 108, and a display subsystem that operates in a display mode todisplay the various images on the display area 112 (FIG. 1). Theembodiment 200 similarly incorporates the imaging subsystem, but doesnot need the complete display subsystem because it is able to commandthe external device, such as the personal computer 202, to generate theimages. The embodiment 200 therefore needs only to provide appropriateimage data, but does not need to actually project a projection beam suchas the projection beam 110, in order to present visual image userfeedback concerning the detected user input.

Advantageously, the video subsystem thus enables the 3D imaging anddisplay system to function as and to provide an auxiliary display devicefor other electronic devices (e.g., music players) that may lack such adevice, or to augment the displays on devices that do have someintrinsic display capability. As will be explained more particularlyhereinbelow, the embodiment 100, for example, can then accept a standardanalog RGB signal source and convert it to suitable drive signals forits internal projector 102 (e.g., an RGB laser subsystem), to displayexternally provided or generated images. A great versatility is thusafforded, presenting the user with the option to use the 3D imaging anddisplay system simply and alone as an auxiliary display, or just as a 3Dimager, or in a combination mode providing both the imaging and thedisplay functions.

Another comparison of the embodiment 100 and the embodiment 200 showsthat the projector 102 (FIG. 1) and the receiver 104 (FIG. 1) may beseparate independent units, or may be combined into a single housingsuch as a housing 208 (FIG. 2).

The display area 112 may be a suitable projection canvas, a flat wall,or, for example, a transparent surface through which the image isprojected from behind or onto which the image is projected from thefront.

Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown a graphical diagram 300depicting system calibration. As will be described in greater detailhereinbelow, particularly with respect to FIG. 6, the projection beam110 (FIG. 1) and the scanning beam 106 (FIG. 1) are moved to sweep theirrespective targets (the display area 112 (FIG. 1) and the imaging volume108 (FIG. 1)), by a mirror system 302 contained within the projector 102(FIG. 1). The mirror system 302 is configured to receive and reflectlight beams projected onto it, and is controllably movable on at leasttwo perpendicular axes so that the beams can be controllably projectedand directed to any chosen and specified target. Thus, the projectionbeam 110 originates within the projector 102 (FIG. 1), is directed ontothe mirror system 302 therein, and then swept across the display area112. Similarly, the scanning beam 106 originates within the projector102 and then is controllably swept through the imaging volume 108 inresponse to the specified mirror deflection controls and commands.

For better results, it is desirable to calibrate the 3D imaging anddisplay system. When the system includes the projection beam 110, theprojection beam 110 can be easily adjusted by the user similarly as anywell-known projector is adjusted. However, accurate detection of objectswithin the imaging volume 108 by the scanning beam 106 is preferablyprovided by a more careful calibration method and protocol. Therefore,one such imaging calibration procedure will now be described.

For ease of understanding and comprehension, the underlying principlesof the imaging calibration will first be disclosed in thetwo-dimensional (“XZ”) environment depicted in FIG. 3. Then, in FIG. 4,this disclosure and explanation will be extended to the full threedimensions of the imaging volume 108.

Since the scanning beam 106 that is reflected by the mirror system 302is not perpendicular to the object to be imaged, the Z-axis (“Z”) dataneeds to be error corrected and remapped to the proper X-axis and Y-axis(“XY”) coordinate, due to parallax. FIG. 3 shows the light path forthree light paths 304, 306, and 308 in the XZ plane. The light paths304, 306, and 308 are made up of segments L1 through L6. The light path304 comprises segments L1 and L6; the light path 306 comprises segmentsL1, L2, and L5; and the light path 308 comprises segments L1, L2, L3,and L4.

Embodiments of 3D imaging and display systems according to the presentinvention (e.g., the embodiment 100 or the embodiment 200) willordinarily have a DSP (not shown, but see the DSP 718 in FIG. 7) fordata processing and system control. Generally, the DSP will map a mirrorangle β (FIG. 3) for a given light path length to a corresponding Xcoordinate. However, the effective or actual X coordinate depends on thedistance Z between the object and the sensor plane (e.g., the XY plane).That is, for the same angle β, different target object distances in theZ dimension will not only have different light path lengths, but willalso correspond to different X coordinates. These X coordinatedifferences are the parallax 310 that is being compensated.

For example, consider a target object that is at point Pref. In thisscenario, the angle β would be mapped to location coordinates Xref andZref. The latter would be calculated based on β and the length of thelight path 304, namely, L1+L6. Similarly, if the target object is atpoint Pmax, the angle would be mapped to location Xmax and Zmax. Thelatter would be calculated based on and the path length L=L1+L2+L3+L4.Like determinations can be made for any points along the line of angleβ. If, for a given implementation, the distance Zref is the minimumdistance, and Zmax is the maximum distance, the 3D imaging and displaysystem of the present invention can then detect any object between theXY planes located at Zref and Zmax. Furthermore, if all points Pref(X,Z,β) and Pmax(X,Z, β) are known, then any points Pact(X,Z, β) between theZref plane and the Zmax plane can be properly mapped to their respectiveX,Z coordinates by interpolation between Pref(X,Z, β) and Pmax(X,Z, β).

Accordingly, during factory calibration all points Pref(X,Zref, β) andPmax(X,Zmax, β) are stored in a read-only memory (“ROM”) lookup table(for instance, associated with the DSP 718) having parallax compensationcalibration information therein. Then, when an object is scanned, amapping engine (for example, in the DSP 718) maps object point data byinterpolation between Pref(X,Zref, β) and Pmax(X,Zmax, β) to the actuallocations X and Z. The mapping is performed utilizing the returned pathlength L for a given angle β, generated by operation of the mirrorsystem 302 and the scanning beam 106 (as further explained below).

As will now be explained, this process is then implemented and expandedin a similar fashion to include the Y dimension or coordinate as well.

Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is shown a like calibration, detection,and measurement procedure, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, for mapping an object located in the imaging volume 108(FIG. 1) to the proper (X,Y,Z) 3D coordinates. For the imaging apparatusto acquire proper (X,Y,Z) coordinates, a calibration is first performed.The calibration enables the accurate mapping of an object in the imagingvolume 108 to the proper (X,Y,Z) coordinates.

In one embodiment, the imaging volume 108 is divided into threeequidistant imaging planes, a bottom reference plane 402, a topreference plane 404, and a sensor plane 406. The mirror system 302 (inthe projector 102 (FIG. 1)) and the receiver 104 are located in thesensor plane 406. The bottom reference plane 402, the top referenceplane 404, and the sensor plane 406 are parallel to each other.

All the planes are subdivided into a grid of rectangular zones. Eachzone is mapped to an (X,Y,Z) coordinate. During calibration, each(X,Y,Z) coordinate is mapped to an angular displacement (∂,β) and aphase shift ϕ(∂,β), where ∂ is the angle between the X-axis of thesensor plane 406 and the scanning beam 106 (FIG. 1), and β is the anglebetween the Y-axis of the sensor plane 406 and the scanning beam 106.The phase shift ϕ(∂,β), as explained further hereinbelow, is directlyproportional to the path length of the scanning beam 106 from the mirrorsystem 302 to the target object and back to the receiver 104.

The calibration measurement results are stored in eight lookup tables:

xb(∂,β) xt(∂,β)

yb(∂,β) yt(∂,β)

zb(∂,β) zt(∂,β)

ϕb(∂,β) ϕt(∂,β)

Each lookup table contains n×m values, wherein ∂=1 to n and ∂=1 to m. Inone embodiment, the deflection angles are represented by integer numbersto ease processing in a DSP, such as the DSP 718 (FIG. 7). For example,an angle of 0 degrees may be represented by the number zero, and anangle of 180 degrees may be represented by a number of 255 (8-bitvalue.) and so on.

Following generation of the calibration data in this manner, eachillumination angle ∂ and β can then be properly mapped to the (x,y,z)coordinates through the phase shift parameter ϕ as follows (where ϕ,again, is proportional to the path length of the scanning beam 106).

For a given angular displacement (∂,β), the phase shift ϕ(∂,β) ismeasured (as explained further hereinbelow) and an interpolationcoefficient s(∂,β) is specified:s(∂,β)=(ϕt(∂,β)−ϕ(∂,β)/(∂,β)−ϕb(∂,β))  (Equation 1)

The interpolation coefficient s(a,B) is then used to calculate theactual (x,y,z) coordinate of the target object, through interpolation,as follows:x=s(∂,β)*(xt(∂,β)−xb(∂,−β))+xb(∂,β)  (Equation 2)y=s(∂,β)*(yt(∂,β)−yb(∂,−β))+yb(∂,β)  (Equation 3)z=s(∂,β)*(zt(∂,β)−zb(∂,−β))+zb(∂,β)  (Equation 4)

With this explanation, it will now be understood that the calibrationprocedure in one embodiment (continuing to refer to FIG. 4) is performedas follows:

-   1. The bottom reference plane 402 is installed, in the sense that    target objects, or an entire planar target sheet, are provided in    order to reflect the scanning beam 106.-   2. The deflection angle (∂,β) of the scanning beam 106 is adjusted    to target a selected target object (e.g., Point Ab(x0,y0,z0), etc.)    in the bottom reference plane 402, the scanning beam 106 exiting the    mirror system 302 at the deflection angle (∂,β).-   3. x0,y0,z0 and L0 are determined, where:-   the coordinate (x0,y0,z0) is the location at which the scanning beam    106 is reflected from the bottom reference plane 402; and-   L0 is the distance the scanning beam 106 travels from the mirror    system 302 to the target object point Ab(x0,y0,z0) and then to the    receiver 104. I.e., L0=Lsb+Lbd.-   4. Values for x0,y0,z0 and LO are saved in a lookup table for later    retrieval.-   5. Steps 2 to 4 are repeated for all other deflection angles.-   6. The bottom reference plane 402 is uninstalled.-   7. The top reference plane 404 is installed, in the sense that    target objects, or an entire planar target sheet, are provided in    order to reflect the scanning beam 106.-   8. The deflection angle (∂,β) of the scanning beam 106 is adjusted    to target a selected target object (e.g., Point At(x1,y1,z1), etc.)    in the top reference plane 404, the scanning beam 106 exiting the    mirror system 302 at the deflection angle (∂,β).-   9. x1,y1,z1 and L1 are determined, where:-   the coordinate (x1,y1,z1) is the location at which the scanning beam    106 is reflected from the top reference plane 404; and-   L1 is the distance the scanning beam 106 travels from the mirror    system 302 to the target object point At(x1,y1,z1) and then to the    receiver 104. I.e., LI=Lsb+Lbt+Ltd.-   10. Values for x1,y1,z1 and L1 are saved in a lookup table for later    retrieval.-   11. Steps 8 to 10 are repeated for all other deflection angles.-   12. The top reference plane 404 is uninstalled, concluding the    calibration procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown an illustration, similar toFIG. 4, of the imaging volume 108 following calibration as described. InFIG. 5, an example is depicted of the detection of an object, forexample a finger 502, in the imaging volume 108.

As shown in FIG. 5, the finger 502 causes a reflection of the scanningbeam 106 at Point(x2,y2,z2) for deflection angle (∂,β), so the actualcoordinates x2, y2, z2 then need to be determined. In this example, x2is between x0 and x1, y2 is between y0 and y1, and z2 is between z0 andz1. Because, for a given angular displacement (∂,β), the values for x0,x1, yO, y1, zO, z1, LO, and L1 are known, the coordinates ofPoint(x2,y2,z2) can be calculated from L2, where L2 is the distance thescanning beam 106 travels between the mirror system 302, the finger 502,and the receiver 104. That is, L2=Lsb+Lbf+Lfd.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the finger 502 is located at the halfway pointbetween Point(x0,y0,z0) and Point(x1,y1,z1), meaning that theinterpolation coefficient is 0.5, based on Equation 1. By applyingEquations 2 to 4, the coordinates of Point(x2, y2, z2) are determined tobe (x0+x1)/2, (y0+y1)/2 and (z0+z1)/2, respectively. The correctcoordinate position of the finger 502 has thus been determined, and thesame determination can similarly be made for any other target object.

Referring now to FIG. 6, therein is shown a schematic 600 of the mirrorsystem 302 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Forclarity of illustration, the schematic 600 shows only the projectionportion of the 3D imaging and display system according to the presentinvention. It will be readily understood, however, that the same mirrorsystem 302, in embodiments of the invention such as the embodiment 100(FIG. 1), will be used simultaneously for both the projection beam 110and the scanning beam 106 (FIG. 1), as illustrated and describedhereinbelow in FIG. 7. For example, when the mirror system is used forboth the projection beam 110 and the scanning beam 106, the projectionbeam 110 and the scanning beam 106 are alternately generated and themirror system 302 synchronized therewith. On the other hand, inembodiments of the invention such as the embodiment 200 (FIG. 2), themirror system 302 is used for the scanning beam 106 alone.

The mirror system 302 may be, for example, a commercially availablehigh-speed scanning mirror system employing, for example, two mirrorsthat are controllably positionable respectively on perpendicular axes toprovide for reflecting a light beam in any desired direction within thesweep range of the mirror system 302. Such mirrors, intended for examplefor laser projection displays, imaging, barcode scanning, and so forth,are commercially available from such companies as Texas Instruments,Inc., Dallas, Tex.

The mirror system 302 includes a horizontal mirror 602 and a verticalmirror 604. In one embodiment, the horizontal mirror 602 and thevertical mirror 604 are then oscillated in a raster-scanning mode toproject an RGB light beam from a laser 606 (in the projector 102 (FIG.1)) onto the display area 112. In one embodiment, the horizontal mirror602 and the vertical mirror 604 are oscillated at their natural orresonant frequencies of vibration for greater efficiency and precisionof control. In one embodiment, the horizontal mirror 602 is ahigh-frequency mirror, and the vertical mirror 604 is a low-frequencymirror.

Referring now to FIG. 7, therein is shown a block diagram 700 of theembodiment 100 (FIG. 1) of the 3D imaging and display system accordingto the present invention. It will be understood, based upon the presentdescription, that other embodiments can be readily configured bysuitable modifications hereof. One example, for instance, is theembodiment 200 (FIG. 2) in which the projection beam 110 (FIG. 1) andassociated RGB light sources can be eliminated from the block diagram700 when a separate display, such as the display 204 (FIG. 2), isavailable.

The system of the block diagram 700 includes the laser 606. In oneembodiment, the laser 606 includes an IR laser light source thatgenerates the scanning beam 106, and an RGB projection source thatgenerates the projection beam 110 in the three primary red (“R”), green(“G”), and blue (“B”) colors. The RGB light source may be laser, LED, orother appropriate light generators according to the application at hand,and it will therefore be understood that the use of the term “laser” forthe laser 606 is intended inclusively of such light sources, notexclusively.

The system of the block diagram 700 also includes the mirror system 302that is controlled and driven by a mirror driver 702. The mirror driver702, in one embodiment, consists of digital circuitry that generatescontrol and drive signals for the mirror system 302 that aresynchronized to the horizontal and vertical synchronization pulsesgenerated by the DSP 718.

The receiver 104, in one embodiment, is a very sensitive detectorconnected to a photodiode amplifier 704. It is important that thedetection for the scanning beam 106 is very sensitive because thescanning beam 106 travels a reasonable distance in comparison with itsinitial power, and incurs substantial scattering when it hits a targetobject. For reasons of economy, and in some circumstances for reasons ofsafety, the scanning beam 106 is not initially very powerful. Also, theambient environment typically includes a great deal of light noise, notthe least of which is the pervasive 50 or 60 Hz light modulationgenerated by artificial illumination.

Prior to striking a target object, of course, a laser beam willtypically remain collimated and focused, but it is widely scatteredafter it strikes a target object. The laser signal, which will bedescribed in greater detail hereinbelow, is therefore expected to beweak by the time it reaches the receiver 104, perhaps as little as onlyseveral microwatts.

To be able to detect the returning scanning beam 106 and separate itfrom the other light noise also impinging upon the receiver 104, thereceiver 104 incorporates a PIN diode detector (not shown, but see thePIN diode detector 1002 in FIG. 10). (“PIN” refers to a three-layerconfiguration comprised of p-doped silicon, intrinsic (undoped) silicon,and n-doped silicon.) The photodiode amplifier 704 is a very high-speedoperational amplifier (“OP AMP”) that amplifies the signals coming fromthe PIN diode detector in the receiver 104.

The output from the photodiode amplifier 704 goes to an analog subsystem706. Within the analog subsystem 706 is a clip amp 708 that receives theoutput from the photodiode amplifier 704.

The output from the photodiode amplifier 704, in one embodiment, is asine wave signal. The clip amp 708 is utilized to convert the sine waveinto a rectangular waveform by amplifying and clipping the signal. Thiseffectively functions as an A/D converter (“ADC”), simplifyingsubsequent signal analysis inasmuch as the signal of interest is not theamplitude, but rather the frequency and the phase shift thereof.

The output from the clip amp 708 goes to a high pass filter 710 thatpreconditions the signal, as described further hereinbelow, before it isfed into a mixer 712.

The mixer 712 is a homodyne mixer that mixes signals of the samefrequency but of different phases. In particular, the mixer 712 mixesthe signal coming from the receiver 104 with the signal that is used tomodulate the scanning beam 106 (as further described hereinbelow). Thus,the mixer 712 homodyne mixes the modulation frequency of the scanningbeam 106 with the returned and phase-shifted (or phase-offset) scanningsignal coming from the receiver 104.

The output from the mixer 712 is passed to a low pass filter 714 thatessentially removes all of the frequency components of higherfrequencies coming from the mixer 712, in order to provide an outputthat is the difference signal (“f”) between the two mixed signals. Thedifference signal f would be zero at a frequency of 0 Hz, because thefrequencies are the same. At any other frequency there will also be aterm at twice the frequency. Thus, before processing the phase-shiftsignal, the low pass filter 714 is used to remove that double frequencycomponent, as well as any other higher frequency components, therebyisolating the phase-shift offset.

The output from the low pass filter 714 is then passed to an ADC 716.The signal received by the ADC 716 from the low pass filter 714 isrelated to the phase shift, or phase offset, of the scanning beam 106received by the receiver 104. This phase offset signal is thus adistance signal indicating the distance that the scanning beam 106 hastraveled. The ADC 716 then converts this distance signal into digitalform in preparation for passing it to a DSP 718.

The DSP 718 processes the distance information (the phase offset). Byknowing the position of the mirror system 302 and the calibrationinformation as described above in connection with FIGS. 3-5, the DSP 718is able to derive from the phase offset the distance (i.e., path length)that the scanning beam 106 has traveled and to generate an outputdefining the positions of all the objects detected in the imaging volume108. The DSP 718 knows the position of the mirror system 302 because itcontrols the mirror driver 702 that, in turn, drives the mirror system302. The DSP 718 also generates a modulation signal for the laser 606,for example, for the projection beam 110. That information, in turn, isused to control a driver 722 for the laser 606. Control can also beprovided for the laser that generates the scanning beam 106.

Additionally, a video subsystem 720 may include other inputs such as,for example, an analog RGB input 724. The analog RGB input 724 may beused, for example, to receive display information for projection ofexternally provided images onto the display area 112 from an externaldevice such as an external host system 726. Examples of such an externalhost system 726, for example, include personal music players, personaldata assistants (“PDAs”), and so forth, that could also be connected tothe DSP 718 through a link 728, such as a USB connection.

In order to measure the distance that the scanning beam 106 travels fromthe projector 102 (FIG. 1) to the target object (e.g., the finger 502(FIG. 5)), and back to the receiver 104, the scanning beam 106 ismodulated. The modulation is preferably amplitude modulation, althoughit will be understood that other forms of modulation (e.g. frequencymodulation) may be employed as well according to the needs or desiredconfigurations for the circumstances at hand. The modulation makes itunnecessary to employ sensitive, high-speed, and expensive circuitry formaking time of flight (“TOF”) measurements. Instead, in one embodiment,a suitable modulation frequency for the amplitude of the light beam isselected, and then the shift in the phase of that modulation is detectedby the 3D imaging and display system, as just described above. The phaseshift or phase lag of the amplitude modulated light beam is thendetected, and this directly yields the distance that the scanning beam106 has traveled.

More particularly, the scanning beam 106 from the laser 606 is amplitudemodulated with a signal of the form:V _(MOD)(t)=V _(M)·sin(ω_(M) ·t)+V _(OFF) _(_) _(MOD)  (Equation 5)where: V_(m) is the amplitude of the dynamic portion of the modulationsignal, and V_(off) _(_) _(mod) is the offset of the modulation signal.

The collimated and modulated laser beam is projected onto an analogmirror. That is, the laser 606 generates the scanning beam 106, which isamplitude modulated and is projected onto the mirror system 302. Themirror system 302 deflects the modulated scanning beam 106 to a virtualplane that, in one embodiment, is parallel to the work surface. Thevirtual plane would be a plane in which, for example, the finger 502 islocated. The object to be imaged (e.g., the finger 502) is in thevirtual plane and reflects the laser light. A high-speed (e.g., a PINdiode based) photo detector, such as in the receiver 104, picks up thereflected laser light. Assuming that only the reflected laser lightenters the receiver 104, the signal coming out of the receiver 104 hasthe form:V _(DET)(t)=V _(D)·sin(ω_(M) ·t+ϕ)+V _(OFF) _(_) _(DET)  (Equation 6)where: V_(D) is the amplitude of the dynamic portion of the detectedsignal, and V_(OFF) _(_) _(DET) is the offset of the detected signal.

The frequency of the detector signal from the receiver 104 will be thesame as the frequency of the modulation signal, but will be phaseshifted by ϕ in respect to the frequency of the modulation signal.

The phase shift ϕ is caused by the path delay, i.e. the time it takesfor the light to travel from the projector 102 to the receiver 104. Thismeans that ϕ is a function of the distance between the 3D imaging anddisplay system and the object point that is being imaged. The phaseshift can be determined or calculated by first calculating thewavelength X of the modulation signal of the frequency f_(mod) in freespace:

$\begin{matrix}{c = { {\lambda \cdot f_{mod}}arrow\lambda  = \frac{c}{f_{mod}}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 7} )\end{matrix}$

The phase shift can be expressed as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{\phi = \frac{360 \cdot L}{\lambda}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 8} )\end{matrix}$

Where: L is the path length from the laser 606 in the projector 102 tothe receiver 104.

By combining (Equation 7) and (Equation 8) we obtain:

$\begin{matrix}{\phi = \frac{360 \cdot f_{mod} \cdot L}{c}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 9} )\end{matrix}$

V_(DET)(t) is amplified by the clip amp 708 so that the amplitude ofV_(DET)(t) becomes V_(M).

To combat non-synchronous noise on the sensor signal in the receiver104, and to convert the phase-shift ϕ into an analog voltage, theoffsets V_(OFF) _(_) _(MOD) and V_(OFF) _(_) _(DET) are removed fromV_(MOD)(t) and V_(DET)(t), by means of the high pass filter 710, whosecut-off frequency is just below the frequency of the modulation signal.Making the high pass filter 710 cutoff as close to the modulationfrequency as possible helps to filter out low-frequency noise that maybe present on the sensor signal from the receiver 104.

V_(DET)(t) and V_(MOD)(t) are then mixed. I.e.:

$\begin{matrix}{{V_{OUT}(t)} = {{{V_{M}^{2} \cdot \sin}{( {\omega_{M} \cdot t} ) \cdot {\sin( {{\omega_{M} \cdot t} + \phi} )}}} = {{\frac{V_{M}^{2}}{2} \cdot ( {{\sin( {{( {\omega_{M} - \omega_{M}} ) \cdot t} - \phi} )} + {{\sin( {{( {\omega_{M} + \omega_{M}} ) \cdot t} + \phi} )}\ldots}} )} = {\frac{V_{M}^{2}}{2}( {{\sin(\phi)} + {{\sin( {{2 \cdot \omega_{M}} - \phi} )}\ldots}} )}}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 10} )\end{matrix}$

The output spectrum of the resultant signal V_(OUT)(t) contains thedifference frequencies and the sum frequencies of the original signals,amongst others. Therefore, one component will be DC and another will betwice the modulation frequency. Accordingly, in the following step, theoutput of the mixer 712 is filtered in the low pass filter 714 to removethe high-frequency component(s) and isolate the DC component. Systemperformance can be improved by properly selecting the cut-off frequencyof the low pass filter 714 according to the operating parameters thathave been selected.

The low pass filter cut off frequency is dependent on the maximumsampling rate and the number of pixels that need to be imaged. Thefollowing condition is preferably met:f _(mod) >f _(c) >f _(SAMPLE) ·N _(PIXELS)  (Equation 11)where: f_(SAMPLE) is the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter 714,f_(SAMPLE) is the frame rate (e.g. 125 Hz), and N_(PIXELS) is the numberof pixels in the image.

After low pass filtering, the output signal V_(OUT) has the form:

$\begin{matrix}{{V_{OUT}(\phi)} = {\frac{V_{M}^{2}}{2} \cdot {\sin( {- \phi} )}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 12} )\end{matrix}$

Note that V_(OUT) is now a function of the phase shift, not time.

This signal V_(OUT) is fed into the ADC 716 and then passed to the DSP718 for further processing.

With (Equation 12) the phase shift can now be calculated. From (Equation12) we obtain:

$\begin{matrix}{{\phi( V_{OUT} )} = {- {\arcsin( {2 \cdot \frac{V_{OUT}}{V_{M}^{2}}} )}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 13} )\end{matrix}$

Alternately, from (Equation 13) the path length L could be calculated asfollows, using (Equation 9):

$\begin{matrix}{{L( V_{OUT} )} = {{- \frac{c}{360 \cdot f_{MOD}}} \cdot {\arcsin( {2 \cdot \frac{V_{OUT}}{V_{M}^{2}}} )}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 14} )\end{matrix}$

The DSP 718 applies either (Equation 13) or (Equation 14) to obtain thephase shift 0 or the path length L as a function of the signal V_(OUT),respectively.

One way for modulating the amplitude of the scanning beam 106 is tomodulate the output intensity of the laser in the laser 606 thatgenerates the scanning beam 106. This modulation can be effected, forexample, by modulating the driver power for the laser 606.

Another method and configuration for generating an amplitude modulatedscanning beam 106 is to use two lasers that are at slightly differentfrequencies with respect to one another and then superimposing the laserbeams, thereby generating a beat or interference pattern amplitudemodulation. Such an interference configuration, as described moreparticularly below with respect to FIG. 11, provides a very economicalmeans to achieve a very high modulation frequency, thereby providing avery high granularity for much greater precision and detail recognitionand definition.

Referring now to FIG. 8, therein is shown a block diagram of the mirrorsubsystem 800 of the 3D imaging and display system of the presentinvention. The mirror subsystem 800 includes, in part, the mirror driver702 and the mirror system 302. The mirror system 302 includes thehorizontal mirror 602, the vertical mirror 604, respective magnets 802thereon, and corresponding respective pick-up coils 804 adjacent themagnets 802.

The mirror driver 702 includes a differential amplifier 806 connected tothe pick-up coils 804, a driver 808 connected to drive the mirrors 602and 604 in the mirror system 302, a voltage controlled oscillator(“VCO”) 810 that is connected to the driver 808, a loop filter 812 thatis connected to the VCO 810, a charge pump 814 that is connected to theloop filter 812, and a phase comparator 816 that is connected to thecharge pump 814 and receives inputs from the differential amplifier 806and a sync pulse line 818.

The VCO 810 sets the frequency of the drive signal for the mirror system302. The voltage amplitude of the drive signal determines the respectivedisplacement angles of the horizontal mirror 602 and the vertical mirror604, and thus the horizontal and vertical displacements of the projectedscanning beam 106.

The magnets 802 that are attached to the horizontal and vertical mirrors602 and 604 induce respective voltages in their respective pick-up coils804. This voltage is proportional to the angular displacements of themirrors. The displacement voltages are amplified by the differentialamplifier 806 and then compared to the phase of the incomingsynchronization signal on the sync pulse line 818 by the phasecomparator 816. The phase comparator 816, in combination with the chargepump 814 and the loop filter 812, generates an error correction signalthat is fed into the VCO 810. By this means, the synchronization signalon the sync pulse line 818 is kept in phase with the mirror drive signalfrom the driver 808.

The mirrors of the mirror system 302 each have their own resonantfrequency that is set by the properties of the mirror driver 702 (e.g.,a Piezo material) and the proof mass of the mirror, mirror driver, andmagnets 802. The composite system can be compared to a crystal thatoperates best at its characteristic resonant frequency. Similarly, theproof mass of the mirror system 302 and the suspension of the mirrorassembly can be compared to a spring and mass system that also has acharacteristic resonant frequency. According to the teachings of thepresent invention, these are the frequencies preferably selected foroperation of the horizontal mirror 602 and the vertical mirror 604.

Referring now to FIG. 9, therein is shown an exemplary sync pulse 900for the horizontal mirror 602 (FIG. 6). The rising edge 902 of the syncpulse 900, for example, will correspond to one edge (e.g., the leftedge) of the scanning range, and the end 904 of the sync pulse 900,prior to the next rising edge 902, will correspond to the opposite(e.g., right) edge of the scanning range.

Referring now to FIG. 10, therein is shown a schematic diagram ofportions of a sensor circuit 1000 of the present invention. The sensorcircuit 1000 includes the receiver 104 and the photodiode amplifier 704.The front end of the sensor circuit 1000 is a PIN diode 1002 which iscomprised of three layers: a P-layer (p-doped semiconductor) (“P”), anN-layer (n-doped semiconductor) (“N”), and an intrinsic layer (non-dopedsemiconductor) (“I”). The intrinsic layer is sandwiched between theN-layer and the P-layer. The non-inverting input of an OP AMP 1004 isbiased to a reference voltage Vref which appears on the inverting outputof the OP AMP 1004 and reverse biases the PIN diode 1002. Any light thatenters the intrinsic layer of the PIN diode 1002 creates electron-holepairs in the intrinsic layer. Due to Vref, an electric field is presentacross the intrinsic layer, which will separate the electron-hole pairs,causing a photocurrent Iphoto to flow into the inverting input of the OPAMP 1004. To maximize the sensitivity of the sensor circuit 1000, Ibiasshould be much smaller than Iphoto, and Rfbk and Vfbk should be large.

Referring now to FIG. 11, therein is shown a block diagram 1100 of adual laser modulation-demodulation configuration. The configuration inthe block diagram 1100 generates an amplitude modulated laser beam forthe scanning beam 106 that utilizes an optical system for modulating thebeam intensity that can provide better resolution due to the much highermodulation frequency that can be easily, efficiently and inexpensivelyobtained. In particular, the amplitude modulation takes advantage of thefact that the frequency of the light emitted by a laser is a function ofthe threshold current. A laser 1102 generates a beam 1104 with frequencyf1. The frequency f1 is set by a constant current source 1106.Similarly, a laser 1108 generates a beam 1110 with frequency f2, set bya constant current source 1112. The beams 1104 and 1110 are combinedinto a beam 1114 using a mirror 1116 and a beam splitter 1118.

Because the beam 1104 and the beam 1110 have different frequencies, theintensity of the resulting beam 1114 is modulated with an interferenceor beat frequency pattern whose frequency is the difference between thefrequencies of the two beams 1104 and 1110.

The beam 1114 is split in a beam splitter 1120 and a portion of the beam1114 is then reflected by the mirror system 302 to a target object 1124.Some of the light from the beam 1114 that is reflected by the targetobject 1124 then reaches and is detected by the receiver 104.

Another portion of the beam 1114 from the beam splitter 1120 is routedby a mirror 1126 to the receiver 104 where it is homodyned with thereflected light from the target object 1124. Due to the differences inthe path lengths of the portions of the beam 1114 exiting from the beamsplitter 1120, the light reflecting from the target object 1124 will bephase-shifted with respect to the light that comes from the mirror 1126.This phase shift is a direct measure of the distance of the targetobject 1124, as described more particularly hereinabove. Also aspreviously described, the homodyned light signal will contain ahigh-frequency component that is the sum of the frequencies of the beam1104 and the beam 1110, and will also contain a DC component. The DCcomponent is a function of the phase shift between the homodyned beamsreceived in the receiver 104, and is then isolated from the higherfrequency components by means of the low pass filter 714 (FIG. 7) havingan appropriately low cut off frequency.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that the present invention hasenormous versatility and value. An important utility and value of theinvention resides particularly and unexpectedly in the great range ofuseful applications in which the invention can be exploited, as well asin the great range of devices with which the invention can beadvantageously allied and employed. It has thus been discovered that thepresent invention can be advantageously, economically, and efficientlyemployed to extend the range of capabilities of numerous existingdevices, as well as to afford entirely new functionalities in newapplications and environments.

For example, the 3D imaging and display system can be used forapplications such as the following:

Head Tracking. In one embodiment, for example, the 3D imaging anddisplay system would create and store several calibration images of auser's head at different horizontal and vertical angles. Then, duringactive use, the 3D imaging and display system would image the user'shead in the imaging volume 108 and map the image of the user's head to avertical and horizontal tilt angle by correlating the acquired imagewith the calibration images. The tilt angle then could be mapped tohuman interface related functions such as scrolling or zooming Forexample, in one implementation, the head tilt angle would be mapped to azoom function (e.g., a magnifier glass) on the screen. In yet anotherapplication, a motorized camera would follow the user's head movement,and so forth.

Hand Gesturing. In one embodiment, for example, the 3D imaging anddisplay system would use watershed analysis to detect elements of auser's hand(s) and track individual and relative movements and positionsof the hand(s) and the detected elements thereof. For example, theelements would be the fingers, thumb, palm, and so forth. Then, thedetected hand gestures would be mapped to interface related functionssuch as 3D rotate, zoom, scroll, volume control, etc. According to theimmediate application and needs, this could be in addition to, orindependent of, the manipulation of virtual objects in the imagingvolume 108 as described above.

User Presence Detection. In another embodiment, for example, the 3Dimaging and display system would be used to detect whether a user issitting in front of a display. This information may be used, forexample, to identify which user is present. It may also be used, forexample, to shut the system down and thereby save power when the user isaway.

Perform Display and 3D Imaging Functions in Combination. Thisapplication has generally been discussed earlier above. It can beextended to provide simultaneous display functionality that would beadditional to and independent of the display of the user activity withinthe imaging volume 108.

Auxiliary Display. In another embodiment, for example, the 3D imagingand display system would be used to provide an auxiliary display for anexternally connected device, such as a personal computer.

Use In Combination With Small Devices As An Auxiliary Display. This isan extension of the previous use to devices which have no, or only arudimentary, display device. In such an embodiment, for example, the 3Dimaging and display system would be used with a personal music player, apersonal data assistant (“PDA”), and so forth, to provide primary orextended display capability, thereby considerably enhancing theusability of the device, and substantially enhancing and improving theuser experience.

Surveillance. The small size, low cost, and high discriminationcapability of the present invention give it unique advantages insurveillance situations.

Bar Code Reader. Traditional bar code readers typically lack economicalintegral display functionality. Instead, either a rudimentary dot matrixnumber display is provided, or an entirely separate display device mustbe utilized. The present invention economically and efficientlyovercomes these prior limitations.

Object Measuring. The high precision yet compact form factor,portability, and low cost of the present invention lend it uniquely tomany applications where dimensions, locations, speeds, trajectories,item counts (e.g., prescription pill dispensing), and so forth areneeded.

Image Substitution/Replacement. An object is scanned and stored inmemory (e.g., stored in or in association with the DSP 718). Imagerecognition procedures residing on the DSP 718 are then used to detectthe object via the 3D imaging portions of the system, and then replacethe object in real time with a predetermined object in the display, suchas in the display area 112. For example, the user may place acylindrical object on his/her table. The system would then pick up thisimage and associate it to a predetermined or pre-assigned object andfunction. For example, this associated object could be a volume knob andthe associated function could be a volume control. Then, whenever theuser turned the cylindrical object—i.e., turned the “knob”, theassociated object would rotate in the display area and adjust the systemvolume.

“Painting” A Moveable Object, and Following It As It Moves. In oneembodiment, the 3D imaging and display device could be used to draw 3Dimages. For example, the user could place a finger at a specificlocation within the imaging volume 108, which location then could beselected by the user as the vertex of a 3D shape. Similarly, the usercould then select other vertices to complete the 3D shape. Both handscould be used to perform point and selection functions. For example, theindex finger of the left hand 120 could be used to point to certainlocations inside the imaging volume 108, while the index finger of theright hand 122 could be used to select those locations as vertices(e.g., by pressing a virtual button corresponding to a button image118). During all these operations, the auxiliary display function wouldbe providing immediate feedback. The right hand 122 could also be usedto select other functions, such as filling the 3D shape with a certaincolor or manipulating the shape by moving the vertices, or rotating orrelocating (displacing) the shape, and so forth.

Virtual Keyboard. Some devices, for example some PDAs, lack keyboards.The present invention can solve that insufficiency by generating aninteractive virtual keyboard by detecting finger locations andmovements, responding accordingly thereto, and, when desired, projectingan associated virtual keyboard image.

Automatic Function Assignment. By detecting which kind of object(s) (ahand, foot, head, etc.) are optically detected from the user input inthe imaging volume 108, the 3D imaging and display system can associatea predetermined function or set of functions with at least some of thoseobjects.

It will be understood, of course, that the above and earlier-describedexemplary applications for the 3D imaging and display system of thepresent invention can be used independently of one another, or usedcumulatively and simultaneously according to the needs and desires ofthe user and the particular applications and implementations at hand.Also, the components and circuit elements disclosed hereinabove,particularly those in the block diagram 700 (FIG. 7), constitutestructure (e.g., measuring structure) and circuitry for performing thevarious functions and activities described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 12, therein is shown a flow chart of a system 1200for a three-dimensional imaging and display system in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The system 1200 includes opticallydetecting user input in an imaging volume by measuring the path lengthof an amplitude modulated scanning beam as a function of the phase shiftthereof, in a block 1202; and presenting visual image user feedbackconcerning the detected user input, in a block 1204.

It has been discovered that the present invention thus has numerousadvantages.

A principle advantage is that the present invention combines highlyeffective and accurate 3D imaging and display functions in a singledevice that can be economically manufactured.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it can be easilyutilized with the widest range of existing and future devices, forextending the capabilities thereof.

Another advantage is that it can be implemented in a small, compact formfactor, thereby rendering it unobtrusive, portable, and energyefficient.

Another advantage is that its use is unobtrusive as well. That is, nospecial artifacts, such as specially attached reflection points, areneeded on the target object(s).

Another advantage is that it requires no supporting wires or batteriesfor the objects that are moved by the user. In contrast, for example, atypical computer mouse requires one or the other.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it in facteliminates not only cable clutter, but device clutter as well, since allcontrolled devices can be virtual.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it is fully“plug-n-play”, requiring minimal or no configuration by the end user.

Another important advantage is that the present invention provides forcomplete customization. Thus, a user can easily choose displayproperties such as button colors, interface devices (buttons vs.sliders, or both, for example). The user can also readily customize theenvironment in which the three-dimensional imaging and display system isdeployed. Such environmental customization could include, for example,configuring the imaging volume 108 to the user's needs or preferencessuch as, for example, the user's body size and position, and so forth.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is highlyversatile, affording highly effective 3D imaging functions that enable amultitude of functions, such as but not limited to, head tracking, userpresence detection, advanced 3D gesturing, and auxiliary displayfunctions.

Another advantage is that the present invention extends beyond thecapabilities of traditional imagers, such as complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (“CMOS”) video cameras, that do not provide the depthperformance of the 3D imaging and display system of the presentinvention, and are thus limited in their functionality when it comes tospecific applications, such as, for example, presence detection.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it avoids thehigh expense of existing advanced 3D imaging cameras, which arerelatively expensive and therefore not ready for deployment in consumerapplications, whereas the present invention is uniquely suited for suchuses.

Yet another important advantage of the present invention is that itvaluably supports and services the historical trend of reducing costs,simplifying systems, and increasing performance.

These and other valuable aspects of the present invention consequentlyfurther the state of the technology to at least the next level.

Thus, it has been discovered that the three-dimensional imaging anddisplay system of the present invention furnishes important andheretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, andfunctional advantages for capturing, responding to, and/or displayingobjects in a 3D volume or space. The resulting configurations andimplementations are straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated,highly versatile and effective, can be implemented for the most part byadapting known technologies, and are thus readily suited for efficientlyand economically manufacturing 3D imaging and display systems in formsfully compatible with conventional manufacturing processes andtechnologies, as well as existing and future devices with which the 3Dimaging and display systems may be interfaced.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specificbest mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light ofthe foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within thescope of the included claims. All matters hithertofore set forth hereinor shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in anillustrative and non-limiting sense.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A scanning apparatus, comprising: a firstradiation source, capable of emitting a modulated infrared beam; asecond radiation source, capable of emitting a visible light beam; ascanning mirror capable of scanning, in a raster pattern, both themodulated infrared and the visible light beams over an imaging volume; areceiver capable of detecting the modulated infrared beam returning fromthe imaging volume; and a processor capable of processing a signal fromthe receiver in order to detect an object in the imaging volume and tocontrol the second radiation source to project images.
 2. The scanningapparatus of claim 1, wherein the images projected using the secondradiation source and the scanning mirror comprise one or more virtualobjects in the imaging volume.
 3. The scanning apparatus of claim 2,wherein the processor is configured to: process the signal from thereceiver to detect a movement of the object in the imaging volume; andmanipulate the one or more virtual objects in response to the detectedmovement.
 4. The scanning apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or morevirtual objects comprise a virtual keyboard.
 5. The scanning apparatusof claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a photodiode and a high-speedamplifier, the high-speed amplifier configured to amplify signals outputby the photodiode.
 6. The scanning apparatus of claim 5, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: process the amplified signals todetermine an offset between the amplified signals and the scannedmodulated infrared beam; and derive from the offset a distance that thescanned modulated infrared beam has traveled.
 7. The scanning apparatusof claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to define aposition of the detected object in the imaging volume based on thedistance and a scan angle of the scanning mirror.
 8. The scanningapparatus of claim 1, wherein the scanning mirror oscillates at aresonant frequency.
 9. A method for scanning, comprising: emitting amodulated infrared beam and a visible light beam; scanning, using ascanning mirror, both the modulated infrared and the visible light beamsover an imaging volume in a raster pattern; detecting the modulatedinfrared beam returning from the imaging volume; generating a signal inresponse to the detected modulated infrared beam; processing the signalto detect an object in the imaging volume; and controlling the visiblelight beam to project images in response to the detected object.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein controlling the visible light beam comprisescontrolling the visible light beam to present one or more virtualobjects in the imaging volume.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: detecting a movement of the object in the imaging volume;and manipulating at least one of the one or more virtual objects inresponse to the detected movement.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe one or more virtual objects comprise a virtual keyboard.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein processing the signal comprises: determiningan offset between the detected modulated infrared beam and the scannedmodulated infrared beam; and deriving from the offset a distance thatthe scanned modulated infrared beam has traveled.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein processing the signal further comprises defining aposition of the detected object in the imaging volume based on thedistance and a scan angle of the scanning mirror.
 15. An electronicdevice, comprising: a scanning apparatus, comprising: a first radiationsource, capable of emitting a modulated infrared beam; a secondradiation source, capable of emitting a visible light beam; a scanningmirror capable of scanning, in a raster pattern, both the modulatedinfrared and the visible light beams over an imaging volume; a receivercapable of detecting the modulated infrared beam returning from theimaging volume; and a processor capable of processing a signal from thereceiver to detect an object in the imaging volume and to control thesecond radiation source to project images.
 16. The electronic device ofclaim 15, wherein the projected images comprise one or more virtualobjects in the imaging volume.
 17. The electronic device of claim 16,wherein the processor is further configured to process the signal fromthe receiver to detect a movement of the object and to manipulate theone or more virtual objects in response to the detected movement. 18.The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the one or more virtualobjects comprise a virtual keyboard.